CSAYL: Favorite Image ~

Happy Friday friends!  That means it's time for another challenge with Christmas Stampin' All Year Long!  It's just my kind of challenge too - use your favorite Christmas image.  The winner will get to be the Guest Designer for a May challenge! 

I don't like to play favorites...I mean, really!  It's just not fair!  But I will say that one of my favorite lines of stamps is the Lil Lolitas & Lil Lads of Tickled Pink Stamps.  This is Lil Christmas Lad Frankie...since I know you'll fall in love with him, here are two links for you.  You can get him from All That Scraps (for those of us in the US) in rubber here and from Tickled Pink Stamps (this is from Australia) in digi here (aack!  can't find the link right now!) or rubber here. 

He's colored up with a long list {wink!} of Copics!  His belt buckle and earing are colored with a silver Spica pen for a bit of shimmer.  The little snowman's buttons, eyes and mouth are colored first with a black Copic and then a Sakura black glaze pen - super shiny!  Papers are from the Basic Grey Jovial 6x6 paper pack - Love it!  I added a strip of Pinefeather paper punched with the Lattice punch from Martha Stewart.  A little cherry baker's twine, some jingle bells and a Cheers tag finish off the front!

The inside is finished with some scraps and a little sentiment from a Wplus9designs set. 
Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you all have a super fantastic weekend!  :o) lyss

Copics {BG10, BG99, C1, C3, C5, E00, E02, E11, E13, E23, E25, E27, E29, G21, G24, G28, R20, R24, R27, R29, W7, YR04, YR18, 110 Special Black, 0 Colorless Blender}

CSAYL: Warm & Fuzzy ~

Hi friends! It's Friday morning and I am late again...after spending the evening making my card for iCopic today, I went home to find that I had a sick little monkey on my hands. Poor little guy has been running to the bathroom non-stop and wanting to hold mommy's hand in between. He's finally resting, so I thought I'd pop in here and share this little ditty! Thanks for waiting so patiently! ;o)

The challenge for Christmas Stampin' All Year Long this week is sponsored by none other than the fantabulous Perfect Presentation!  You must bop on over to the challenge blog because Anna Banana has provided participants with not one but two free PDF templates to play with!  What a sweetie!

Also, a random winner will be able to choose a template from the Perfect Presentation store.  Oh, you want to know the challenge?  Ok...it's to use felt on your project.  Easy enough! 

I chose to use the SVG file Spring Basket - such a fun one because you can use a handle or not and it comes with a picket fence border as well!  Another thing I adore about the Perfect Presentation templates is that if you purchase the template in either SVG or GSD, you also get the PDF version.  I knew I wanted to attempt to make my template out of felt entirely, so off I went to Hobby Lobby for some cheap felt.  I was so excited to find some paper board type felt!  Sweet!!  I printed the PDF version on regular typing paper and used some removable adhesive to attach it to the felt board.  Super easy to cut out, score and assemble.  I used some fabric glue instead of Scor-Tape. 

Isn't it so cute and warm and fuzzy!?!  The top left corners on both sides are adorned with some hand cut holly leaves and red buttons tied with cherry Baker's twine.  So great for setting out some holiday candy, nuts or potpourri or giving a little gift of cookies to your neighbors, friends and family!  You could easily attach a little handle with some cute brads or stitch it up if you aren't allergic to needles and thread like me!  lol 

I hope you play along with us this week!  Don't forget to stop by all the other fabulous ladies blogs on the DT - there are some amazing creations this week!  Thanks for stopping by :o) lyss

Emerald Faerie New Release 3 Winner ~

Good evening all!  I'm bopping in here really quickly to tell you the winner of my candy from this post.  Random.Zaner chose lucky number 13!!  Leona - you are my winner!!  Congratulations!  I'll email you with the deets on how to choose and receive your image!

This is just a peek of the new Kenz & Tilly image from Emerald Faeries.  I still haven't completed the scrap page I want to make with it but wanted to have a pic for the post!  lol  Emerald Faeries has more exciting news...a new challenge blog!  We'll be starting up on May 1st, so get your markers, paints, pencils or whatever you use to color with ready to play!!  Bop over here to become a follower and play with us!

Also, iCopic is having a fantastic Magnolia sale through tomorrow, April 22nd.  Magnolia stamps are an additional 10% off with a $25 purchase!  Just use the code TILDA10 at checkout.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  :o) lyss

CSAYL: Markers Down {GASP!!!} ~

Hey all!  Time for the next Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge!  This week we are sponsored by the fabulous In Style Stamps.  A randomly chosen participant will win their choice of 4 digi stamps from this adorable line!  The challenge this week is to put the markers down!!  You must watercolor your image - whether it be with watercolor pencils or re-inkers or paints and an aqua painter or brush - you cannot use markers to color your image!

WHAAA!  I want to cry...and so do my Copics...so unloved!!!  lol  I used this adorable image called Santa's Snack.  I first tried to print it on Kraft paper, but after jamming the printer 7 times, finally figured out that was a no go!  lol  So I switched directions and printed it straight on white.  I wanted something bright and colorful so I chose this paper from the Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly 6x6 paper pack.  Afraid the printer ink would smear, I heat set it first (good plan) and used watercolor pencils with an aqua-painter (bad plan).  I need practice in this beautiful technique {severely!!}.  After spreading the printer ink on several letters, I finally decided to add the image to the circular file and begin again!  lol

This time I heat set the image and lightly filled it in with and aqua-painter and ink pads from Stampin' Up's Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, So Saffron, Soft Sky and Wild Wasabi to, in essence, *watercolor* the image. 

The background paper stands out with a little detail of a ticket corner punch.  I added a strip of Soft Sky cardstock punched with a Martha Stewart icicle punch, some PTI Hibiscus Burst grosgrain ribbon and a Pure Poppy button tied with some Cherry Divine Baker's Twine.  Super simple and easy to mass produce!  Way easier than if I'd colored with Copics!!  I've just had a friend, I won't name names...Chris...that counted the markers I use to color an image...it gets a bit ridiculous at times (25+)!  lmao!  ;o) 

I encourage you to give this challenge a try...for me, it really was a severe challenge!!  Don't forget to bop along to the other ladies blogs and have a look-see at their stellar creations!  Have a super Friday!! :o) lyss

Emerald Faerie New Release 3 & Candy ~

Hello Emerald Faerie fans!  It's time for another release of these fantastic faeries.  This go round we seem to be celebrating spring with some mama and baby faerie combos - Kenz & Tilly and Kayla & Twinkie.  We have two blog hops for your visual pleasure, and you will have the chance on all the blogs to win an Emerald Faerie digital stamp of your choice.  You must be a follower of the blog and you must comment to win.  Look at all those chances...not to mention all the eye candy! 

Group A:

Natalie

Tracey
Sammie
Vic
Viv
Alyssa (you're here!)
Tracy J
Cabio
Kirsten
Kari
Group B:
Julie
Trudi
Anita
Ronda
Louise
Nancy
Deb M
Deb P
Donna

Today I have a CAS baby card for you using Kayla & Twinkie.  I have a very good friend that is pregnant right now, due next Thursday, so I had to make this up for her.  She's let me know that she's having a girl but is torturing her family and letting it be a surprise {hee, hee}.  We had talked about her painting the baby room in two colors of purple or doing darker purple accents on a light purple wall, so I used those colors as a jumping off point. 

I added some super sparkly glitter to her wings and a fun treatment with a button.  The card is wrapped with a light purple embroidery floss and baker's twine.  I threaded the floss through two of the button holes and the twine through the other two.  The floss is tied in a bow and then I joined the floss and twine to tie another bow.  A great way to keep this card CAS but add some embellies at the same time!  I may have to go back and add a little rhinestone to the sentiment...we'll see. 

Both new Emerald Faeries are available now in the digi form from Deb's Creations.  Rubber stamps are on their way, so they are available in pre-order form...I know I'm a rubber stamp loving girl! 

I have a little Kenz & Tilly all colored up but want to add it to a scrap page.  I'm challenged in this area and haven't been able to make it happen just so.  I'll have it ready next Thursday, 21 April, when I come back to announce the winner of my digi stamp blog candy!  Hope you all are having a wonderful day!  Thanks for hopping by!  Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win, then bop off to Tracy J to continue the hop!  :o) lyss

Copics {BG10, BG13, BG18, BG45, BG49, E000, E00, E02, E11, E29, E33, E37, R20, V09, V17, V20, V25, Y000, Y11, Y13, YG11, YG13, YG17, YR12, YR15}

Hello Perfect Angel ~

Hi again! I'm sharing another Thursday girl from the Greeting Farm's Creeper Crew for my iCopic DT post.  I was glad to accept the position to stay on the design team for this fabulous marker, stamp and ink shop.  Sadly, Linda and Wanda did not stay on at this time...but iCopic is having a DT call!  Go here to check out the requirements and send in your application today!!

Thursday's shirt and hat are pieced with a distressed orange paper from the {retired} Basic Grey Archaic line. To give them a bit more life, they are shaded with Copics that matched - YR12, YR15, YR18, YR61 & YR65. Her shirt needed a bit of spunk as well, so I added a fun image from the SP & Company clear set Rain Boots in Ranger Distress Tea Dye ink. One tip I have for paper piecing is to shade your area, cut it out and then line the sides of the cut out *very* lightly with a black Copic. It helps the piecing to blend in with the original stamped area instead of giving a white or ratty line against it. Because most pattern papers are more flimsy than regular cardstock, you have to use a light hand to line the edges; otherwise, the black Copic will bleed into the pattern paper ruining all your hard work! We just don't want that!! lol

The base patterned paper panel was sponged with Ranger Distress Walnut Stain ink. It helps to soften the strong pattern so all the intense patterns don't compete too much with each other.

I wanted the inside to be decorated as well, so I used another distressed plain piece from the paper pack, a scrap of the base mat and some fun stamps. Thursday is stamped lightly in Tea Dye ink. She's not fully stamped to flow with the whole *Grunge* look! The 'hello' sentiment is from Lawn Fawn's Just My Type, stamped at an angle in Walnut Stain ink. 'Perfect Angel' is from The Greeting Farm's Naughty or Nice set. Such a wonderful way to combine sets and fonts for something fun...kind of a play on words since her little kitty hat looks like devil horns!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I always love your comments and encouragement!  Have a super weekend :o) lyss

CHALLENGES ~
7 Kids College Fund #18: Seeing Spots - in the paper
Copic Creations #47: Your fave Copic technique - shading paper piecing
Craft Your Days Away #17: Spots and Stripes - in the paper
i{heart}2stamp: April SFYTT
Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes
Supplies ~
Copics {B95, B97, B99, C1, E000, E00, E09, E11, E29, E33, E37, E43, E44, R20, YG63, YR12, YR15, YR18, YR61, YR65, 100 Black}; Copic Multiliner
Stamps: The Greeting Farm Thursday; The Greeting Farm Naughty or Nice; Lawn Fawn Just My Type; SP & Company Rain Boots

CSAYL: Cut It Out ~

Happy Friday friends!  It's time for another Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge.  This week we are challenging you to *Cut it Out*, in other words, use the paper piecing technique. 

I chose to use this darling little image from Motivet called Santa in the Chimney.  One reason I love rubber or acrylic stamps over digi stamps is that it is so much easier to paper piece them!  I know you can print your digi on typing paper, tape your patterned paper down over where the image printed and reprint to paper piece a digi, but I'm just too lazy for that!  LOL  Hey, at least I'm honest!  ;o)   

Most of you that come to my blog know that I have a little boy, so whenever I have a boy image, I must color him up like my little man.  I used a mulitliner to turn the little bear he's dragging behind him into a Pooh bear like the one Zane has.  So fun to personalize things this way!  His jammies are paper pieced with paper from the Wassail pack, as well as the stockings that are hung by the chimney with care!  The tops of the stockings are fluffed up with some Liquid Applique.  The tops of Santa's boots also have some Liquid Applique and glitter because Santa is magical!  ;o) 

I hope you play along with us this week!  Our fearless leader, MacKenzie, will be choosing someone from the participants to be a guest designer in May!  Fun!!  Thanks for stopping by!  :o) lyss

CHALLENGES ~
Craft Your Days Away - Spots & Stripes  spots and stripes on the pattern papers
i{heart}2stamp: April SFYTT
Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes

SUPPLIES ~
STAMPS: Motivet Santa in Chimney
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black; Ranger Distress Antique Linen
PAPER: PTI Rustic Cream & SS White; Basic Grey Wassail
OTHER: Copics {C3, C5, C7E000, E00, E08, E11, E18, E19, E25, E27, E29, E31, E33, E41, R20, Y21, Y26, Y28, Y35, Y38, YG95, YG97, YR30, YR65, W3, W5, W7, 110 Spcl Blck}; multiliner; Doodlebug glitter; Liquid Applique; Sakura black glaze pen 

Larkspurs embossed ~

Hi all!  I got some crafty time today and needed to create a birthday card for my fabulous sister-in-law.  I chose to play along with the current Make It Monday challenge at Papertrey Ink, heat embossing. 

I love to heat emboss my sentiments.  I don't think that Memento Tuxedo Black is bold enough for my taste, so I almost always emboss my sentiments using Versafine Onyx Black and Filigree detail clear embossing powder.  Gives your cards a really polished look!  Also, I love coloring on Rustic Cream cardstock but find that my Copics tend to bleed a bit more than when I color on the Stamper's Select white, so I embossed the larkspur image the same way.

I chose a super simple layout and super simple coloring - I don't think I've ever colored an image with just 4 Copics!!  I'm not sure if the embossing helped with the markers bleeding or not because I didn't shade the image too much.  I'll have to give it another shot with an image that has more room for shading.  The embossing did help me stay within the thin lines of the flower stems though!  Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you all are having a great week!  :o) lyss

CHALLENGES ~

Craft Your Days Away: Spots & Stripes - the tin types image is spots and stripes! bonus!

Paper Sundaes #63: Spring Blossoms - ? Are Larkspurs spring blossoms?  I don't know, but I'll give it a shot anyhow!

Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes - gotta love that!

SUPPLIES ~
STAMPS: PTI Background Basics: Tin Types, Communique Curves Sentiments & YOF: Larkspurs 
INK: VersaMark; Versafine Onyx Black
PAPER: PTI Rustic Cream; SU Almost Artichoke & Mellow Moss

OTHER: Copics {G82, G85, V20 & V25}; Filigree clear embossing powder; PTI Rustic cream twine & Plum Pudding vintage button; SU Olive organdy ribbon

CSAYL: Inside Out

Hi everyone!  It's late here and I need to shut my eyes as I've been battling some nasty bug the past few days.  I'll be by early in the morning with a little more vim and vigor to post my card for the new challenge at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long.  Thanks for understanding!!  :o) lyss

Good morning!  Thanks for indulging my sleepy-headed-ness!  I'm back with my Christmas Stampin' All Year Long post.  This week we are sponsored by the fabulous Pink Cat Studios

One lucky participant will win 5 digi stamps of their choice!  PCS has some adorable stamps, bop over here to check them out!  Our challenge this week is to keep it moving - decorate the inside of your card as well!  This is one of those steps that we sometimes forget but really makes a huge difference.

 I chose to use this sweet little stamp called Billy Rides a Train.  I'm sure any mother of a toddler boy knows how much boys love their trains!  This stamp is so great because the flag that Billy is holding comes blank, but you are able to download a few freebie sentiments to fit into the flag!   

Billy is colored in with Copics to match the Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper that I chose.  I kept the layout super simple because I'm challenged that way...lol!  ;o)  I added a couple of extra embellishments of snowflakes cut from the Spellbinders Create a Flake 1 dies and a few buttons tied with PTI rustic cream twine. 

I used the Merry Christmas sentiment printed out separately.  It's lightly shaded with C1 and softened with the colorless blender.  I then cut it out, rimmed the edges with a black Copic, glued the base closest to the stick and popped the outer edge up on a dimensional.  You can kind of see it in the pic.

I needed a cute sentiment for the inside, so I found a font that seemed the most similar to the flag's sentiment and printed one out on my computer. 

 "Choo! Choo!  That's train talk for Merry Christmas!"

I know, I know, kind of cheesy.  Lol  But fun all the same!  The train punch is from Martha Stewart that I found on clearance for like $3 - gotta love that!  The green paper it's punched from is actually the back side of the striped pattern paper.

That's it for today!  I hope you all play along with Christmas Stampin' All Year Long this week!  Be sure to bop over to the challenge blog to see all the other fabulous creations the rest of the design team made!  Have a great day!  :o) lyss

Copics {B91, B95, B97, C1, C3, C5, C7, C9, E000, E00, E11, E29, E31 E33, E37, E55, E57, E59, R20, R39, R59, R89, Y15, Y21, Y26, YG93, YG95, YG97, 110 Spcl Blk, 0 Colorless Blender}